Interesting clown artwork .... good , bad, or ugly?

Picked this up at the thrift store the other day. I am not a big fan of clowns but thought this different. It is some kind of print enhanced with pastels. Not sure if it is an original print by the artists or a commercial one. Much of the work is printed. In the close-ups, all the mottled colored areas you see are printed. The pastels are used only in the pale yellow, black, and some of the dark blue. There are also the two ink lines under the eyes. Maybe a lithograph? Found signature when I opened it up to re-position the mat. Looks to be done in India ink. Ideas on what it reads? Just initials?

This has some age to it. It is on a heavy paper and has been adhered to illustration board at top and bottom. Someone separated the bottom to have a look at the back but there are no other markings. I didn't photo the illustration board but it looked like 60's to me. I think the framing is more modern. It has non-glare glass which I hate. Anyone recognize this as a commercial work? ... or is it all original? Pretty large at 20" x 26" plus the framing.

Thought a poll might be fun with this one. Vote good or bad and ugly or nice (2 votes maximum). You have to vote to see the poll results. For the record, I am not sure what I think about this one so you can't hurt my feelings .... LOL!

Any and all comments welcome!

 

Don't think it's so much a clown as comedy and tragedy masks.

 

Not my favorite, I like the signature the best. So... probably worth zillions

 

Thought about that but decided clowns due to the ruffled collar and the odd hats/hair. Coloration differences does lend itself to comedy/tragedy interpretation.

 

I agree with Brad. Clowns. There are sad clowns, too. Some scare people.

Quite sure the first initial is a D. After that maybe a J, maybe an L ?????????????

I want to say that that is one piece of art I would welcome in my home. Kinda reminds me of an oil on canvas copy of the Emmett Kelly one I acquired because the artist was a co-worker who needed some money.

Both my votes are positive.

 

Too modern looking for me............besides, we still have a houseful of clowns that we still need to downsize from!!

 

I concur...

 

I think it is an interpretation of Joy and Melancholy as represented by the "clown mask" with a smile in bright and sunny (yellow) colours and the balancing fact of the sad "clown mask" with frown and the Blues....................comedy and tragedy represented by clowns and colours...........interesting composition.

 

At Mardi Gras.

 

Well, Brad. There are some dissenters. Perhaps I'm solidly on your side because I have never encountered a version other than simple, unadorned masks since B.C.

I'll check back after the debates tonight and see if the poll has varied from a dead heat tie.

 

121 views of this thread as of right now and we only have a hand full of votes on the poll. I know the disclaimer says that others will be able to see your vote but it is not tied directly to you. Only the composite of votes can be seen.

Also, any further input on the signature?

 

Got no help on the sig. other then possibly D.H. Believe the main part of the sig. trails off down below the frame? I'm not going to comment on the faces because at the moment clowns are on my *hit* list. In the past few weeks there has been a rash of clowns, people dressed in clown costumes, trying to lure kids into woods in Tennessee. I think about a month or so Pennsylvania and a couple of other states such as SC, have experienced such activities. No telling how many Predators will or have copied this activity.

--- Susan

 

oh brad.....folks here don't vote much as a rule....
don't take it to heart.....

 

Not my flavor, but they are BOLD! I do like the texture, it does look like pastels.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

That is what I see as well. That is the bottom of the paper you are seeing in the signature picture. If there was more, it has been trimmed off.

No biggie. Just thought it might be fun with this one since it is so unusual.

 

maybe more creepy than unusual.....

 

Parents should always be vigilant, and teach their children about safe behavior; but many of the "lurking clown" reports are errors or hoaxes of one sort or another, in the opinion of many police agencies. This certainly is a teaching opportunity, both regarding safety, and in the importance of telling the truth; and perhaps, in skepticism.

From Tennessee, Sept 25: "The photo of the "clowns" was not a photo taken in Tennessee. This was a photo circulated throughout social media. While we want to provide awareness about this issue, the photo is not local."
http://www.wbir.com/news/local/tennessee-law-enforcement-be-wary-of-creepy-clown-hoaxes/325331068

In Nashville it is true that a man claiming to be a clown made lewd remarks and threats via telephone. http://fox17.com/news/local/tenness...ing-to-kidnap-children-arrested-in-Manchester

Sept 21: Bradford PA police say clown reports are false.
http://www.wkbw.com/news/police-blotter/bradford-police-say-clown-sighting-rumors-are-false

Sept 21: Annapolis MD police will not charge children who made false report about clowns: http://foxbaltimore.com/news/local/learning-lesson-no-charges-for-kids-who-made-up-story-about-clown-sightings-in-Annapolis
Sept 15: GA police arrest two for false clown reports: http://www.wmtw.com/article/police-2-arrested-for-false-reports-of-clowns-luring-kids/3379504
From Texarkana, Sept 27: "According to TTPD Public Information Officers, there have been no calls about clowns being sighted."
http://txktoday.com/news/reports-of-creepy-clown-sightings-in-texarkana-are-untrue/

 

OK, so all those here who voted based on their trepidation of really nasty, bad clowns are now safe to revise their ballot.

Clowns are really nice people with a good heart and a love of children.

Want to start over again, Brad?​

.................................... ..........................................

 

stop clowning around............

they're not pretty...and they're not clowns.......................

 

No one said they are pretty.

In fact it is not "they!

The artist has portrayed a vibrant, well rested, joyful gentleman entering the main tent to entertain all the little children anxiously awaiting his arrival.

The image to the right is the same person after an exhausting 12 hour performance with the usual cheerful youngsters, but also the typical disruptive, nasty teenagers jeering at him with insults that he is an undesirable impostor.